Hi Sandro
I am too taking a friend from Germany to Croatia, also not used to 1000km+ days so we are almost in the same Situation.
Usually I don't do a lot of planning but since im not alone a bit of planing is nessecary.
You can find my little route
here
KM per day:
250
330
480
433
273
589
424
Total 2779
So its a nice average of 400km per day. Mostly small roads no Highway.
Best places to go:
For some offroad just go to the Velebit National Park in Croatia, if you find a closed road, open the barrier drive trough and close it again. In case a Park Ranger stops you, show him how much you respect him (10 Euros is enough respect :-) and go on as planned.
Coast Road is great but sometimes alot of traffic, just pick a road close to the Coast Road and you will have just as good windy roads as down the coast bot no traffic at all.
Visit
Plitvička jezera here
If you want to swim beneath a nice waterfall
this is the place to go. It is located in Skradin near Sibenik.
Dubrovnik :-) I am sure you already knew that
Mostar also very famous
And now of my absolutely favourite roads
Dubrovnic - Foca (Bosnia) -
Durmitor (Montenegro) -
Lovcen - Kotor
Very scenic route
Here the roads to take (Absolute must if you ask me) Do it, Do it , Do it ;-)
Safety: No Problem at all, just be kind and nothing bad will happen to you. If you cross the borders they ask you where you go... and they will tell you;"Oh watch out the next land is poor, and not very safe" Same line at every border crossing from Coratia down will Macedonia... once you are in Macedonia the will say:" Okay greece is next, you survived the dangerous part." ;-)
Accomondation: Take appartments down the Coast, great view /low cost (50 Euros for a 2 bed Appartment)
And for Romania, take the
Transfagarasan
Okay thats it sofar
If you have any further questions just aks, I can provide some pictrues and Videos to if you like.
Cheers
DarK_Chili